Off-Campus Study - Meet Madeline

When Madeline ’26 traveled to Tunisia and Italy to study abroad, her willingness to fail and try new things blossomed into an unexpected reward.

“I wanted to study abroad in order to expand my worldview, step out of my comfort zone and experience a new culture while studying topics I’m most passionate about,” she said.

The junior global studies and political science double major from Downers Grove, Ill., wanted to combine her classwork at Hope with a study abroad program. With a focus on Arabic and the Arab world, Madeline decided to participate in the School for International Training (SIT) Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration on the Mediterranean program.

“I lived with a Muslim family in Tunisia,” she explained. “The family was eager to discuss our similar and differing beliefs. My host father in particular engaged with me in fruitful, thought provoking discussions that expanded my understanding of Islam and the Arab world.”

As her stay in Tunisia fell during the month of Ramadan, Madeline was able to experience a unique religious celebration first hand. “I observed a culture in which life drastically changed for a whole month. The feeling of community was profound,” she shared.

After her time in Africa, she traveled to Sicily, where she witnessed a wildly different religious experience: Easter and Holy Week. “I saw pristine cathedrals, crowded religious parades and reenactments and a city-wide celebration of Jesus' death and resurrection,” she said.

Her time in Tunisia, however, has stuck with her the most. “Living in a place where I was not close to proficient in the main languages was so humbling. But it has helped me develop a better appreciation for the resilience of human understanding, which can transcend language barriers. I learned so much by having to stumble out into this new place day after day, failing time and again, relying on the kindness and good humor of others,” she shared. “My improvement was incredibly rewarding!”

“Studying off campus profoundly shaped my entire college experience,” she said, adding that she wants to work overseas through the state department or an international governance organization one day. “We studied migration and organized crime in Sicily,” she explained. “This is something that will no doubt prepare me for a critical government job one day.”

She recognizes the importance of donors like you. “You opened a door I never thought possible. You expanded my horizons and made experiencing the world something I could actually attain,” she gratefully said. “You shaped my plans for the future and my life today. I cannot thank you enough.”

Your gift changes lives by encouraging students to explore the world and discover who they are along the way. Will you transform the life of someone like Madeline with your gift today?